Every week there are dozens of new and exciting pieces of gear. But are they actually worth buying? Trust the team at Cool Material to help you find the latest and greatest releases in a recurring column: What We’re Buying.
Buck Mason Carry-On Suit
“I have an upcoming wedding and a few other events that are going to require a suit. I’m not one for suit suits. And I’m definitely not one for ironing. This suit from Buck Mason fits the bill perfectly. Medium weight cotton with a touch of stretch to it, unlined, a handful of pockets, and it still looks good with some wrinkles. A great option if you’re looking for that perfect spot between casual and formal.” Buy Jacket: $165 Buy Pants: $135
Roka Kona Prescription Sunglasses
“Fancy designer sunglasses are not for me. I’m in and out of test cars all the time, and I have three little active little kids. But I do need good prescription sunglasses that can handle my progressive Rx, and they also need to be tough and comfortable. I recently ordered a pair of Roka Konas through their Rx program, and I couldn’t be happier. The bronze amber lenses are polarized to reduce road glare, a huge benefit for all the driving I do. They’re also treated for scratch, water, fog, and oil resistance. The TR 90 nylon frames are flexible and supremely comfortable, too. I love the spring-loaded hinges that work wonders on my fat cranium. These are my new go-to shades for just about everything.” Buy: $280
SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker
“As a self-proclaimed seltzer purist I’ve long been sceptical of the SodaStream. I couldn’t imagine it’d deliver the same level of carbonation I’ve come to love from bottles of Topo Chico or San Pellegrino. But, my wife got the SodaStream Terra so we decided to give it a go. And honestly I’m pleasantly surprised by how well it works. Plus, it’s handy to have the convenience of making a bottle of seltzer whenever we want. And it means we can cut back on some plastic usage. That’s a win-win-win.” Buy: $160
AirPods Pro
“I am not a headphones guy. I don’t care enough to spend the extra money for the best sound quality around or for 100-percent noise cancellation. But I recently bought a pair of AirPods Pro to replace my first-generation ones that went through the washing machine, and I finally get why people are so picky about what they put in their ears. The noise cancellation works incredibly well for in-ear buds, and it blocks out the sound of traffic even on the busiest streets so that you can listen to your music or podcast or whatever in peace without missing a word. Plus, the different sizes for the earbud sleeves ensure a tight fit whether you have tiny ears or large ones. That combined with better than average sound quality makes the AirPods Pro a welcome addition to my list of things to always have on hand. It doesn’t hurt that they’re on sale for under $200 right now, either.” Buy: $180
– Nickolaus Hines, Features Editor
